MS NDILEKA MANDELA, ATTENDS THE INTERNATIONAL ONLINE GLOBAL UNIVERSITY CONGRESS “G-GLOBAL: WORLD OF THE XXI CENTURY”
HELD IN NUR-SULTAN, ON 20TH NOVEMBER 2020
Ms Ndileka Mandela, the first grandchild of Nelson Mandela, Founder & CEO of Thembekile Mandela Foundation attended the International Online Global University Congress “G-Global: World of the XXI century” held Nur-Sultan, on 20th November 2020.
The G-Global International Secretariat together with partners such as: Lev. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Turan University, Eurasian Universities Association (EURAS) and the South-South Cooperation Council organized the Global Universities Congress, which was attended by rectors of Kazakhstani and foreign universities, heads of the Eurasian Universities Association (EURAS), UNESCO representatives, professors, students institutions of higher education and world renowned experts such as Honourable Ela Gandhi (granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Chair of the Mahatma Gandhi Development Trust), Ndileka Mandela, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez (UNESCO Artist for Peace, UNESCO Earth savers Dream enter, Philippines), and many more others.
The event was held online on the final day of the International Congress “G-Global: World of the XXI century” on 20 November 2020, in order to actively involve the youth of the UN member states in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN Agenda 2030.
During the Congress, involvement of universities and student youth in the implementation of the UN SDGs, impact of the coronavirus pandemic on international relations, the economy and the social sphere, international cooperation of institutions and research centres during a pandemic, interaction in the post-pandemic period, exchange of best practices and knowledge in the field of education and science were discussed.
Honourable Ms Ndileka Mandela, spoke about the initiative of Leading Like Mandela programme, a platform that provides leadership development and intergenerational dialogue on the concept of African leadership of excellence. “We are compelled to reflect on the type of leadership we need in the twenty‑first century, Leadership that will steer us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); leadership that is fearless, selfless, bold yet humble; leadership that models mutual respect, compassion and understanding; leadership that puts people at the centre of its service. These were all qualities embodied by Madiba and leaders like Mahatma Gandhi “Said Ms Ndileka Mandela “
Nelson Mandela, demonstrated that no dream is too big to dream teaching us to take on big challenges and stand up for what is right. Ms Mandela lamented about the guiding principle and the core promise of the Sustainable Development Goals, the world’s blueprint for building a better future. It means taking explicit action to end extreme poverty, curb inequalities, confront discrimination and fast-track progress for the furthest behind.
It is through such programmes that leadership models can be shaped, evaluated and redesigned, that leadership values can be instilled, and experiences shared from across several generations. If our goal is to transform our Youth and the world, we must cultivate transformational leadership which is about change in individuals and social systems alike. Mandela was a truly transformational leader. Young people are the torch bearers of the SDGs. My message to Young people is: be proactive, positively disruptive and innovative; show the world what meaningful youth participation and leadership looks like as we strive to achieve the SDGs; constructively contribute to everything you do; learn from the lesson of the past to shape a better future.
Mandela said: “Young people are capable, when aroused, of bringing down the towers of oppression and raising the banners of freedom.” Now is a good time to be inspired. To the older generations and I don’t exempt myself — it is our job to create space at the decision‑making tables to meaningfully include young people and to help amplify their ideas and solutions, which can galvanize our journey towards a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable planet.
In conclusion, “Leaders like my Grandfather and Gandhi are the example of leaders we should strive to follow. The recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye, that there is oneness to humanity and that by caring for those around us we will find the truth in ourselves.”